A clinic that no one came to, except me, turned into a great lesson: bevel 2 for backhand, and scoop by the net. Both are old, but the tiny tweaks are ‘revolutionary’:
holding bevel 2 for backhand soft scoop at the net
A good win with Brenda as the sub, 6-1, 6-1 over the team that are tied with them.
I’m pretty happy with my play:
that I held all my serves, no double fault. I see that my ground stroke isn’t too bad, and I used it effectively.
The team is 4-1, so they’re in the first place now. (They lost to the same oppenonts last time at their home, full 3 sets in 3.5 hr!)
I was scheduled to sub, but not for the first court. At 7:51 this morning, a text came in, switching me to the first court. This league does not use a point system (USTA had 3 courts, and each carried different points). So winning the first court counts as much as the last court.
I’ve never played with Brenda before, but we worked well together. She’s good all around, but great at the net.
Taking a cue from last night’s pickleball, I hit more ground strokes and dropped less, held all my serves without a single double fault. For serve, I consistently toss first, and it worked well for me, winning quite a few points. Now, will I remember it?
One of the opponents looks like Inmaculada Concepción Conchita Martínez Bernat (1972-; 1988-2006, $11,527,977), who serves really well (but spits a couple of times …). Both opponents have weak second serve – they just pushed it over.
During the second set, we were up 4-1, 0-40. Brenda called a first serve to the middle out, but the server questioned it. It was a close call, and I said I didn’t see it. Brenda said, “Take the point.’ And they did, and went on to win two more points. Fortunately, we were able to close it.
Another good win: 6-1、6-1 和一个新搭档。(搭档开心因为战胜了与她们战绩相同的对手。今天球队总战绩为4胜1负,排名第一了。
Don’t know who has offended the weather god, but our tournaments are often affected by bad weather. This time is scheduled on Thursday, with the final on Friday.
Thursday was a nasty day: rainy, windy, and cold. … and Sandy’s girls are leaving on Saturday morning. (Thanks to Sandy, her friends enabled us to have a true mixed doubles tourney.) So, 11 teams in all, first to 10 pro set. Dave L and I are one of three byes.
v. Joel & Christine: 10-2
v. Felix & Julie: 10-5
v. Joe & Tiffany: 5-10
One of our first-round opponents decided on an hour break, which is unheard of. We never explicitly state the time between rounds, with the understanding that recovery time is no more than 10 minutes. In short, we started late. But they were easy to deal with. At 7-0, he called a on-the-line shot out, which gave them a game. Oh well.
The second set was a real competition. I was the weakest link, getting all the shots. For once, I held my own. It was a tight, thrilling game until 5-5.
In the third round, which is the final, we lost clearly. Tiffany is definitely at a higher level: good 10 years younger, and doesn’t miss anything … They had two byes and watched us battle in the second round.
8:46 call for the 9am league game because one of the mates on Line 4 is in urgent care (she’s fine). I said yes only because I knew the captain’s pain.
Lisa and I won 3 and 2. We got our first serve games at love. Then I lost my next serve… Lisa has been playing tennis for 15 years and is excellent at net.
This morning I was luckily, because the opponents came from far and were late by a good 30 minutes.
During the set, the three of them went to the bathroom. Looking around the 3 court (we’re on Court 3), the other two are done at about the same time: we were all up a set.
I need constantly coaching, otherwise I’d be playing with old bad habbits.
Tony pulled out this morning, so I filled in. Sandi and I lost to Jay and Golf 4-6.
So, I’m still working on my serve. Jay said that I’m too stiff, not bending my knees.
Bend your knees when tossing, he says.
AI says, pros typically do not bend their knees at the exact moment they begin to toss the ball, but rather start the knee bend as the ball is released. The legs remain relatively straight during the initial upward movement of the tossing arm, with the,,knee bend occurring simultaneously with the toss release and the racket moving toward the tophy position.
6-0, 6-7, 6-3 in 3 hours for Line 3: my first league play in over a decade, and after steadfastly refusing for 3 years with this group and the coach, now I’m playing as a sub. AND there’s extra pressure.
~ #2, Feb 4, Lisa, Line 3
~ #3, Feb 11, Brenda, Line 1
~ #4 Feb 25, Rebecca, Line 4
The reasons are
don’t want to play in a league due to pressure … I feel like a mercenary: got to win.
they’re not the usta league
they like to start late, like 9am or 10am: it’s too late for this early bird.
I couldn’t do wrong the first, and couldn’t do right the third set with so many double faults. Unbelievable, doing chip and charge … just to hit the damn ball! What was wrong with me? The second set we were leading 4-1! I reminded myself to focus before the match, especially after winning the first set. Oh well.
Questionable line calls:
They refused a ball on court, saying it had to be from them.
An out ball they played, and we lost the point.
A lob to the ad court, as I was serving for the match. They both asked if I was sure and where the ball mark was. My partner said it was too far for her to see it.
This team in the ALOT league is at the bottom level C (3 levels).
Afterward, we all went to lunch with the coach, which is really a new and wonderful experience: listen and learn.
Lunch at the bistro was ok – a fruit fly or gnat was in my Chardonnay.
A busy morning: warmup, sling, a heavy-duty serve session on Court 1, then played a set with the coach, winning 6-1 over Dave L and Aaron on Court 2. The only ame we lost was from my overhead, when the coach called “don’t touch” but I still hit it: totally my fault!
Dave / coach won over Edwin / Aaron 1 and love. On a trip to my court to pick up a ball, C said, “Why don’t you play? They complained that I’m too good, can’t they be appreciative that I’m trying to make them better?” I knew C won’t go all out when he plays with us, and I always value the time playing with or against him: it’s the best time to learn.
During a changeover, the coach showed me again how to serve, and I think this time it worked a little for me – thanks.
… pretty happy with my toss
记得北京有个心里美萝卜 (不知是北京生还是它地种运北京 – 不重要) 俺这两天也是心里美🤓(虽还是waiter’s tray – got to give me some time 😂😹)
正误其次 心里高兴是正道
昨天 教练和三男队友在隔壁打 6-0 6-1
教主吐苦 “我是就着他们打的 但他们还说不公平…”
他第一次要我过去打 我没接茬儿
第二次是因为一男离开
他和俺 … 6-1
… 那个1 是俺输的
一高球 教主说 别碰 … 俺偏偏打: 说不清是俺蠢 还是不想给他们鸡蛋